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Channel 4 Brings Back Fifteen to One

December 10, 2013

LONDON: Channel 4 has greenlit a new run of Fifteen to One, which is getting a 20-episode series and four celebrity specials. Fifteen to One originally ran from 1988 to 2003. Channel 4 brought it back recently for a one-off special for its '80s Night. The four new celebrity specials …

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SET Scores Carriage on BT in the U.K.

December 10, 2013

LONDON: The general-entertainment channel Sony Entertainment Television (SET) has secured carriage with British Telecom (BT). Starting next week, BT subscribers will be offered SET through the VT TV Entertainment and Unlimited Extra packages. The channel delivers such TV series as Will and Grace, Life on Mars and Jane Eyre, along …

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MD in Place for A+E Networks Italy

December 11, 2013

NEW YORK/ROME: Following an announcement earlier this week regarding the creation of A+E Networks Italy, Sherin Salvetti has been appointed as managing director of the new Rome-based operation. Salvetti is responsible for all channel operations, including programming and production, marketing, sales activities, digital and broadcast operations. Salvetti is currently the …

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Howard Stringer to Join BBC Executive Board

December 11, 2013

LONDON: Sir Howard Stringer, former chairman and CEO of Sony, has been appointed as a non-executive director on the board of the BBC. Stringer has been appointed for a three-year term, starting January 1, 2014. His appointment was part of a series of changes put in place following the BBC …

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Britons Pay More for Premium Pay-TV Subscriptions vs. Other Countries

December 12, 2013

LONDON: New figures from Ofcom find that premium TV subscriptions are more expensive in the U.K., averaging £66, which is twice as much as the cheapest nation surveyed. British consumers are paying £66 for the "best offer" premium pay-TV subscription, a package that includes league football, films and HD offerings. …

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Liberty Global Revives Ziggo Takeover Talks

December 12, 2013

UTRECHT: Ziggo has confirmed that it is currently in discussions with Liberty Global regarding a potential acquisition offer. Liberty already owns a 28.5-percent stake in Ziggo. Back in October, Ziggo rejected an offer from the group to buy out the remainign shares, saying the proposed price was too low. In …

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Belgian Comedy That Awkward Moment Heads to New Markets

December 12, 2013

LONDON: The comedy series That Awkward Moment, which originated in Belgium, has been licensed to WDR in Germany and SBS6 in the Netherlands, along with ITV Studios optioning the format rights for an Australian adaptation. The 8×30-minute series is represented by CAN’T STOP Media. Following its success on 2BE in …

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ZDF Re-Ups Champions League Rights

December 13, 2013

MAINZ: The German public broadcaster ZDF has extended its free-TV deal with the UEFA to carry select Champions League matches through the 2017-18 season. The existing contract between ZDF and UEFA expires with the 2014-15 season; it has now been extended for three seasons through to 2018. The arrangement covers …

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MP & Silva Acquires Rights to Winter Soccer Friendlies

December 13, 2013

LONDON: MP & Silva has obtained the broadcast rights for several friendly soccer matches between big-name European clubs this winter. The exclusive package features teams from German, Dutch, Belgian and Turkish leagues, among others. The highlight showdown will pit French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain against Spanish champions Real Madrid on January …